Liftable structure system

ABSTRACT

A liftable building system includes a building structure. A foundation is configured for supporting the building structure. A substructure is disposable between the foundation and the building structure. At least one guide post is in communication with the building structure, the substructure and the foundation. The liftable building system includes a lifting system including a first end and a second end. The first end is in communication with the substructure and the second end is in communication with the foundation so that actuating the lifting system applies a force to axially displace in a substantially up and down direction the substructure with the building structure along or with the at least one guidepost relative to the foundation.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a liftable building system forbuildings susceptible to flood conditions. In particular, the disclosurerelates to a building having a liftable foundation that may be liftedupon activation of a mechanical lifting system to avoid flooding ofhabitable spaces of the liftable structure.

BACKGROUND

Real estate near beaches or waterways has a special allure both forresidential and commercial purposes. Waterfront property or propertylocated near water is often in high demand for its aesthetic beauty andits many uses from recreation to farming. For example, a large touristand recreation industry is often built near waterways. In addition,proximity to waterways provides many other advantages, such asconvenient shipping and transportation.

The natural beauty and the many uses of water resulted in constructingcommercial and residential buildings near waterfronts. This trend showsno sign of slowing especially as the population grows and every piece ofreal estate is considered for development. However, real estate nearwaterways and low lying areas are prone to flooding which displacespeople and disrupts businesses as the buildings become uninhabitable andsuffer internal damage.

The present disclosure eliminates the need to build building structureson elevated foundations in flood prone areas and provides for adesirable basement/crawl space without the fear of flooding the firstfloor or habitable spaces of the building structure. Further, theliftable building system of the present disclosure does not rely uponrising floodwater; it may be lifted off of its permanent foundation uponactivation of, for example, a mechanical lifting system.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure achieves these and other objects by providing, inone embodiment, a liftable building system, comprising a buildingstructure. A foundation is configured for supporting the buildingstructure. A substructure is disposable between the foundation and thebuilding structure. At least one guide post is in communication with thebuilding structure, the substructure and the foundation. A liftingsystem extends between a first end and a second end. The first end is incommunication with the substructure and the second end is incommunication with the foundation so that actuating the lifting systemapplies a force to axially displace in a substantially up and downdirection the substructure with the building structure along or with theat least one guide post relative to the foundation.

In one embodiment, the liftable building system comprises a buildingstructure. A ramp extends between a first end fixedly engagable with asupport element and a second end detachably engagable with the supportelement. The support element is adjacent to the building structure. Afoundation is configured for supporting the building structure. Asubstructure is disposable between the foundation and the buildingstructure. At least one guide post is in communication with the buildingstructure, the substructure and the foundation. A lifting system extendsbetween a first end and a second end. The first end is in communicationwith the substructure and the second end is in communication with thefoundation so that actuating the lifting system applies a force toaxially displace in a substantially up and down direction thesubstructure with the building structure along or with the at least oneguide post relative to the foundation.

In one embodiment, the liftable building system comprises a house. Afoundation is configured for supporting the house comprising a concretewall footing disposable with ground, a concrete wall siding surroundinga perimeter of the house and being in substantially perpendicularengagement with the concrete wall footing, and a concrete slabdisposable with the concrete wall footing. A steel structural supportframe has an upper surface coupled to the house and a lower surfacedisposable with the concrete wall siding. A plurality of guide posts aredisposable with the building structure, the foundation and the supportframe. A lifting system comprises a plurality of linear actuatorsdisposable between the concrete slab and the support frame andhorizontal drive shafts coupled to the plurality of linear actuatorssuch that actuating the lifting system causes the linear actuators toapply a force to axially displace in a substantially up and downdirection the support frame with the house along or with the pluralityof guide posts relative to the foundation creating a gap between theconcrete wall siding and the house.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the liftable building systemin accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cutaway, plan view, of components of the system shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cutaway, plan view, of components of the system shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an expanded side view, in part cross section, of components ofthe system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an expanded side view, in part cross section, of components ofthe system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a backup generator.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an on/off switch and motor.

FIG. 8 is an expanded side view, in part cross section, of components ofthe system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an expanded side view, in part cross section, of analternative embodiment to the system shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an expanded side view, in part cross section, of componentsof the system shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of components of the system shown in FIG.1 in a lowered position with a ramp and an automobile.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of components of the system shown in FIG.12 in a raised position.

FIG. 13 is front end view of components of the system shown in FIG. 11with the ramp in a lowered position.

FIG. 14 is a front end view of components of the system shown in FIG. 11with the ramp in a raised position.

FIG. 15 is a rear end view of components of the system shown in FIG. 11with the house and the ramp in a lowered position.

FIG. 16 is a rear end view of components of the system shown in FIG. 11with the house and the ramp in a raised position.

FIG. 17 is a side view of components of the system shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a side view of components of the system shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is an alternative side view of components of the system shown inFIG. 15.

FIG. 20 is an alternative side view of components of the system shown inFIG. 16.

FIG. 21 is top cross sectional view of components of the system shown inFIG. 11.

FIG. 22 is a cutaway view of components of the system shown in FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description of the disclosure presented inconnection with the accompanying drawings, which together form a part ofthis disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is notlimited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parametersdescribed and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein isfor the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of exampleonly and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure.

As used in the specification and including the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference toa particular numerical value includes at least that particular value,unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” oneparticular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particularvalue. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes fromthe one particular value and/or to the other particular value.

Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of theantecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular valueforms another embodiment. It is also understood that all spatialreferences, such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, top, upper,lower, bottom, left and right, are for illustrative purposes only andcan be varied within the scope of the disclosure.

Spatially relative terms such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”,“upper”, and the like, are used for ease of description to explain thepositioning of one element relative to a second element. These terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the device in additionto different orientations than those depicted in the figures. Further,terms such as “first”, “second”, and the like, are also used to describevarious elements, regions, sections, etc. and are also not intended tobe limiting. Like terms refer to like elements throughout thedescription.

As used herein, the terms “having”, “containing”, “including”,“comprising” and the like are open ended terms that indicate thepresence of stated elements or features, but do not preclude additionalelements or features.

Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of thedisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. While the disclosure will be described in conjunction with theillustrated embodiments, it will be understood that they are notintended to limit the disclosure to those embodiments. On the contrary,the disclosure is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, andequivalents that may be included within the disclosure as defined by theappended claims.

The following discussion includes a description of a liftable buildingsystem 10 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.Alternate embodiments are also disclosed. Reference will now be made indetail to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which areillustrated in the accompanying figures. Turning now to FIGS. 1-22,there are illustrated components of the liftable building system 10 inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, system 10includes a building structure, such as, for example, a house 410 asdepicted in FIG. 12. The house 410 may be constructed on site, or may bea prefabricated modular design which is installed on site. The house 410is installed upon a lift system 110, to be further described below.House 410 may be constructed from a variety of materials or combinationsthereof. The materials may be pre-fabricated on-site or off-site, or mayconsist of site fabricated components. These components include a roofstructure system 420, a system of perimeter exterior and interior walls425, and floor systems 200. Each of these components may be fabricatedfrom various material and methods including site-built wood framing,metal framing, insulated concrete forms (ICF) or off-site prefabricatedwood framing panels, wood or steel framed modular sections, metalframing panels, and structural insulated panels (SIPS). The house 410may be constructed in phases, such that a future expansion of the house410 shall operate under the same premise of the original embodiment.House 410 further includes a detachable staircase 400 made of wood,metal or any combination of materials described herein. Staircase 400 isdetachably engagable with the base of the house 410.

System 10 includes foundation 101 configured for supporting the house410. A plurality of lateral support columns 415 extend from foundation101 and through house 410 to brace house 410. The foundation 101 can beconstructed from concrete, steel, stainless steel alloys, titaniumalloys, cobalt-chrome alloys and any combination thereof. The foundation101 includes a concrete wall footing 160 disposable within ground G. Thefoundation 101 further includes a concrete wall siding 205 insubstantially perpendicular engagement with the concrete wall footing160 so as to create a gap, such as, for example a cavity or crawl space411 between a substructure 190, to be described below, and the concretewall footing 160. The crawl space 411 is configured for disposal of alifting system 110, to be described below. The concrete wall siding 205surrounds the house 410 to further define crawl space 411 between thehouse 410 and the wall siding 205. A pump pit with a sump pump 215 isinstalled within the concrete wall siding 205 such that the crawl space411 defined by the wall siding 205 may be dewatered after flood watershave receded. In one particular embodiment, pump pit w/sump pump 215shown in FIG. 3 is installed at a corner of a concrete slab 180, to bedescribed below. The pump pit w/sump pump 215 is connected to anexternal hose that is used to dewater the crawl space/basement 411 afterflood waters have receded.

Foundation 101 further includes a planar surface, such as, for example,concrete slab 180. Concrete slab 180 is disposed in crawl space 411 andon concrete wall footing 160 and/or with ground G. Concrete slab 180lies flat or horizontally with respect to ground G to provide a flat,weight-bearing surface. Lifting system 110 is disposable between theconcrete slab 180 and the substructure 190 such that actuation of thelifting system 110 applies a force on the substructure 190 to axiallydisplace in a substantially up and down direction the substructure 190with the house 410 along or with at least one guide post 147 relative tothe concrete wall siding 205, as will be further described in detailbelow. It is contemplated that the concrete slab 180 can either beplaced on top of the ground G directly below house 410, or embeddedwithin the ground G.

System 10 includes the substructure, such as, for example, a structuralsupport frame 190 disposed between an upper portion 206 of concrete wallsiding 205 and house 410. Support frame 190 can be constructed fromconcrete, steel, wood, composite or any combination of materialsdescribed herein. In some embodiments, support frame 190 may beconstructed from a variety of materials including structural steelgirders, pre-cast or cast-in place concreted girders, prefabricatedmetal girders, lightweight carbon reinforced concrete girders, open-webbar joists or built-up steel girders.

Support frame 190 includes an upper surface and a lower surface. Theupper surface or first part 192 of the structural steel support frame190 is attached to the building structure 410 with a metal connector 195and, e.g., steel lag bolts 199 as shown, for example, in FIG. 4. Firstpart 192 of frame 190 is an I or W beam made of steel, concrete, wood orany material described herein. The upper surface is coupled to a floor200 of house 410 such that as the support frame 190 translates, thehouse 410 translates with the support frame 190. The lower surface isdisposable with upper portion 206 of the concrete wall siding 205.Support frame 190 includes a steel beam below building structurespandrel beam 191.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, support frame 190 furtherincludes at least one collar, such as, for example, a steel collar 249.It is contemplated that the collar 249 is composed of various materials,such as, for example, those materials described herein. A first portionof the collar 249 is fixedly engaged to the support frame 190 via asteel angle 194. A second portion of the collar 249 is slidably coupledto a guidepost 147 such that the support frame 190 is axiallytranslatable along the guidepost 147 relative to the guidepost 147.Steel collar 249 slides along the steel guide post 147 during activationof the linear actuators 100.

In one embodiment, a rubber membrane 210 is in communication with orattached to the structural steel support frame 190 via steel lag bolts.The rubber membrane 210 protects the structural steel support frame 190during inclement weather by providing a barrier between the finishedgrade and structural steel support frame 190. The membrane 210 can beconstructed from sheets or rolls of rubber, polyurethane, PVC,fiberglass, vinyl, rubberized asphalt, steel, metal or composites.

System 10 includes a plurality of guide posts 147. Guideposts 147 are incommunication with the house 410, the support frame 190 and thefoundation 101, for example, the foundation wall siding 205 offoundation 101. Guideposts 147 are embedded in the foundation 101 and aconcrete pier footing 175 located near the center section and/or cornersof the steel support frame 190. Concrete pier footing 175 defines apocket cast in the permanent foundation wall siding 205 that supportsguideposts 147. The guideposts 147 extend 4 feet to 10 feet, 10 feet to20 feet, 4 feet to 20 feet, or more than 20 feet above the steel supportframe 190 and are integral with house 410 so as to provide stability tothe house 410 as the house 410 is being raised. Guideposts 147 will beconstructed near the center of the support frame 190 and/or at least onecorner of the support frame 190.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, house 410 is shown in a raisedposition. The steel guide post 147 is bolted to the steel support frame190 with a steel angle 194 and are disposed adjacent the four corners ofthe steel support frame 190. The guide post 147 is connected to thefoundation wall siding 205 via a steel base plate (not shown) that isgrouted and bolted into the concrete pier footing 175 of foundation wallsiding 205. In this particular embodiment, the steel guide post 147 hasa telescopic configuration that lengthens during activation of thelinear actuators 100 such that support frame 190 axially translates withrespect to the foundation 101 as the telescopic guide post 147 israised. As the support frame 190 axially displaces in an up and downdirection, the guidepost 147 expands and contracts with the supportframe 190. In this particular embodiment, a lateral steel bracket 149extends between the concrete slab 180 and the support frame 190 thatconnects guideposts 147 to support frame 190 via welding or bolting.

Corrosion of the guide post 147 can be prevented through the use ofgalvanized steel, timber, composites or can be minimized by theapplication of an epoxy coating. Epoxy coatings can be applied in afactory or on-site. The epoxy coating is a two-component, solvent basedcoating. The coatings can be sprayed or brushed on.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the embodiment of the liftable building system 10wherein the house 410 rests on structural steel frame 190. The liftablebuilding system 10 does not rely upon a rising floodwater, but may belifted off of the permanent concrete foundation 101 upon activation oflifting system 110.

Lifting system 110 is configured for lifting or raising house 410 withrespect to the ground and foundation 101. Lifting system 110 is disposedwithin the cavity 411 defined by concrete wall siding 205 of thefoundation 101 and is disposed between the support frame 190 and theconcrete slab 180. Lifting system 110 extends between a first end and asecond end. The first end is in communication with the support frame190. The second end is in communication with the foundation 101, forexample, the concrete slab 180 so that actuating the lifting system 110applies a force to axially displace in a substantially up and downdirection the support frame 190 with the house 410 along or with theguideposts 147 relative to the foundation 101 and ground G. In oneembodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, as the lifting system 110 is actuated,support frame 190 with house 410 is raised or lowered with thetelescopic guideposts 147 causing the telescopic guideposts 147 toexpand or contract, respectively. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9,as the lifting system 110 is actuated, support frame 190 with house 410axially translate along and relative to guideposts 147 via collar 249.

Lifting system 110 includes a plurality of linear actuators 100disposable between the concrete slab 180 and the support frame 190.Linear actuators 100 extend out of a steel housing 107. The linearactuator 100 is capable of extending 1 foot to 10 feet from steelhousing 107. In some embodiments, actuator 100 is capable of extendingmore than 10 feet from steel housing 107 depending on the requirementsof the particular location in which system 10 is situated.

Lifting system 110 further includes horizontal drive shafts 105 coupledor connected to the plurality of linear actuators 100. As the horizontalsteel drive shafts 105 rotate via actuation of a motor 111, the linearactuators 100 axially translate in a direction away from the foundation101 so as to exert an upward force on the house 410. Actuating thelifting system 110 applies a force to axially displace the support frame190 with the house 410 along or with the plurality of guideposts 147relative to the foundation 101 creating a gap between the upper portion205 of concrete wall siding 205 and the house 410.

Motor 111 is used to drive the actuation of lifting system 110. A limitswitch 250 can be used, which limits the total axial displacement of thelinear actuator 100 whereby limiting the total axial displacement of thesupport frame 190 and the house 410. The limit switch 250 iselectrically coupled to the motor 111 to prevent the linear actuators100 from rising above a predetermined height. The limit switch 250 canbe set to count the number of turns of a load screw 103, to be furtherdescribed below. Once a count value has been reached, the limit switch250 sends a signal to the motor 111 to turn off. This can be donemanually or remotely. The lift system 110 can also be stopped manually.In one embodiment, the limit switch 250 is a structural component thatis engaged to a portion of guideposts 147 so as to prevent support frame190 from translating past the limit switch 250.

An on/off switch 260 for the motor 111 is connected to a sensorpreventing the motor 111 from activating if the sensor is interrupted.In one embodiment, the on/off switch 250 shown in FIG. 7 is connected toan infrared photoelectric sensor 230. The infrared photoelectric sensor230 prevents the motor 111 from activating if the sensor is interrupted.This is a safety mechanism that prevents system 10 from being activated.The photoelectric sensor 230 is part of the safety mechanism that isused to detect the distance, absence, or presence of objects by using aninfrared light transmitter and a receiver. Sensor 230 is connected to anaudible alarm, flashing lights and motor 111. If an object is detectedit will trip the alarm, flash its lights and immediately turn off themotor 111. System 110 includes a steel support post 112 for motor 111.System 10 further includes a power source and controller switch 120.

As depicted in FIGS. 1-3, provided are a series of linear actuators 100,gear boxes 102, and horizontal steel drive shafts 105 connected to motor111. These components of lift system 110 cause load screws 103 to riseto raise or lift support frame 190 with house 410. At least six linearactuators 100 distributed symmetrically about support frame 190 arepreferably used to raise and lower the structural frame 190 evenly. Thelinear actuators 100 are distributed along the inside perimeter of thepermanent foundation wall siding 205 and along the center line and/orcorners of house 410. The motor 111 is located near the center of thehouse 410 inside the crawl space 411. When the lifting system 110 isactuated, motor 111, which is attached to the linear actuator 100 via asteel coupling 106, activates the linear actuator 100. The drive shaft105 is attached to gear box 102 via a steel coupler 106. As the steeldrive shaft 105 rotates it causes the screw 103 to extend out of thehousing 107 whereby the screw 103 exerts an upward force on thestructural steel frame 190 through steel support plate 104. As a resultof this upward force, the structural steel frame 190 lifts off of theconcrete foundation wall side 205. The structural steel support frame190 can be lowered back onto the concrete foundation wall side 205 byreversing the motor 111.

The lifting system 110 can be mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electricand/or engine driven. FIGS. 4, 5 and 10 illustrate an embodiment ofsystem 10 wherein lift system 110 is in the form of a mechanical liftsystem. The linear actuator 100 is a machine screw type with a highstrength load screw 103 and high strength gearing. The gears are housedin an aluminum, iron or steel housing 107. The top portion of linearactuator 100 is connected to a steel support plate 104, which restsflush against the lower surface of the structural steel frame 190 andthrough a series of steel bolts 193 that are attached to the structuralsteel support frame 190 via a steel angle 194. A steel bracket 196 offrame 190 is stabilized through a stabilizer strut 197, which preventslateral movement of the actuator 100 during activation. The steelsupport plate 104 is attached to the top of the steel load screw 103 atcertain locations of the structural steel frame 190, such as, forexample, the four corners of frame 190.

Directly above the concrete slab 180 and aligned with the base of thelinear actuator 100 is a steel tube column 140. Column 140 containslinear actuator 100. A bottom end of the steel tube column 140 is weldedto a base plate 145, which is bolted to the concrete slab 180 via lagbolts 199. A top end of the steel tube column 140 elevates and supportsa steel top plate 142 of linear actuator 100 and is welded to the steeltube column 140 with HS steel bolts 193. Since column 140 supports theweight of the house 410, column 140 will be subjected to the greatestamount of force when the mechanical lifting system 110 is actuated. Thesteel tube column 140 is supported by the continuous wall footing 160,isolated concrete footing 170 and/or concrete pier 175 which may extendseveral feet into the ground. In one embodiment, column 140 is astructural steel tube/concrete/wood or composite that supports the motorand gear box 102. The column 140 is used during lifting to support theactuator 100 and to transfer the applied downward force of the house 410to the concrete foundation 101.

In one embodiment, the steel tube column 140 has a 2 inch wide verticalsteel slot 150 to provide a simple method of removing the linearactuator 100 and steel load screw 103 from its mounting atop the column140. This will allow for the servicing of the linear actuator 100.Normal servicing includes cleaning, lubrication and visual examinationof the linear actuator 100 and horizontal steel drive shafts 105. Aftera storm event, the crawl space/basement area 411 may need to bedewatered via the sump pump 215 and cleaned of all debris, wood,branches etc. The perimeter of the building foundation 101 will need tobe cleaned of all debris, wood, branches etc. The foundation wall siding205, flexible lines and rubber membrane 250 will need to be visuallyinspected and repaired if necessary. The quick disconnect waste linewill need to be reconnected to the house trap.

The mechanical lifting system 110 will incorporate safety features tolock the house 410 in place once lifted. For example, the system may 10include an automatic or manual mechanical lock that will lock theactuators 100 in a raised or stationary position. The system 10 can liftthe structural support frame 190 in stages or incrementally. System 10further includes a bracing structure 430, such as, for example, anetwork of adjustable steel cross-bracing fastened to the structuralsteel frame 190 and the concrete foundations 101 when the house 410 isin both the up and down positions. The bracing structure 430 extendsbetween the foundation 101 and the support frame 190 so as to stabilizethe house 410 when the house 410 is in a raised position. The steelbracing system 430 may be comprised of tube steel, flat plate or heavyduty threaded rod components fastened to permanent steel connectors andmounted to the steel support frame 190 and concrete foundation 101. Insome embodiments, the bracing system 430 is retractable to anon-stabilizing position when the house 410 is lowered to grade orground level 305. It is contemplated that bracing structure 430 isvariously configured, such as, for example, a series of telescopiccolumns, arches, beams, and/or rigid columns. System 10 may furtherinclude a perimeter steel guard rail system engaged to the underside ofthe support frame 190 to protect bracing structure 430 from floatingdebris.

FIG. 12 shows the effect of the linear actuator 100 in the fullyextended position wherein the house 410 has been lifted, while FIG. 11shows the effect of the linear actuators 100 in the lowered position.When the linear actuators 100 are in the lowered position, thestructural steel support frame 190 is supported on the buildingfoundation wall siding 205 as shown in FIG. 4.

The lift system 110 has flexible electric, gas, telephone and waterservice lines 220 as well as a quick disconnect waste line 225 for safeand easy disconnection of primary utilities. Flexible lines 225 can bemade of copper, PVC, Pex tubing, plastic, steel or HPDE pipe. The quickdisconnect line 225 can be constructed of flexible pipe made from Pextubing, PVC tubing, rubber, HDPE corrugated or solid pipe or compositematerials. The connectors may have couplings or fittings made of steel,brass, iron, stainless steel, zinc electroplated, galvanized steel orrubber.

The primary utility lines leading to the house 410 are configured to beflexible. A safe quick disconnect coupling is provided for the simpledisconnection and re-connection of sanitary waste lines 225. The quickcouplings of the primary utility lines and sewer lines may have certainflexibility for easier manipulation and for allowing a certain amount ofmovement in the cavity or crawl space/basement 411. The sewer wastelines 225 quick coupling is similar to a quick connect/disconnectcoupling used on fire trucks for hookup to a fire hydrant.

A backup utility system electric generator 240 is located outside and adistance away from the house 410. In some embodiments, the backupgenerator 240 is gas, propane or solar. It is contemplated that themotor 111 can be powered by an electric service which is connected toback-up generator 240 in case of power failure. In one embodiment, motor111 can be powered by a photovoltaic (solar) power source with batterystorage. The motor 111 can be electrically, hydraulically orpneumatically powered.

The operation of the liftable building system 10 is as follows. When thefloodwater rises or other weather conditions are looming, lifting system110 is activated via on/off switch 260 that is mounted on the outside ofthe house 410. The linear actuators 100 drive the upward axialtranslation of the structural steel support frame 190 with house 410along or with the guide posts 147, which provide lateral stability forsystem 10.

The system 10 is reliable, stable and relatively simple to construct.The system 10 withstands hurricanes since it is confined between thefixed guide posts 147 and slides along or with them. The system 10 beingconfined between fixed guide posts 147 is much more stable than a houseon a standardized foundation, especially when the house is raised.

The system 10 eliminates the need to build building structures onelevated foundations in flood prone areas without the fear of floodingthe habitable spaces of the building structure.

System 10 may be used in circumstances where the rising floodwater isthe result of flash floods or storm surges. In this situation, thebuilding structure may be lifted off of foundation 101 by activating thelifting system 110. By lifting the house 410 out of the direct path ofthe surging floodwater, potential damage to the structure may beavoided.

In one embodiment, a flexible deck/ramp structure 325 adds the abilityto raise an automobile 310 above grade 305 during flooding conditions.As shown in FIG. 12, for example, the flexible deck/ramp 325 may serveas an exterior entertainment surface during non-flood usage. Ramp 325extends between a first end 326 and a second end 327, as shown in FIG.13. First end 326 is fixedly engageable with a structural supportframing, such as, for example, support element 320. Second end 327 isdetachably engageable with support element 320. Support element 320includes a series of vertically disposed columns and horizontallydisposed beams adjacent to house 420. When the second end 327 isconnected to the support element 320, ramp 325 is substantially parallelwith the ground G and is elevated from the ground in a raised positionas can be seen, for example, in FIG. 12. When the second end 327 isdisconnected or disengaged from the support element 320, the second end327 of ramp 325 is lowered such that an automobile 310 may betemporarily placed on the ramp 325 during, for example, floodconditions. That is, upon flood conditions, one end of the deck/rampstructure is disconnected from the structural support element 320 andlowered into a lowered ramp position, as can be seen, for example, inFIG. 11, upon which automobile 310 may be temporarily stored duringflood conditions. It is contemplated that the materials of deck/ramp 325and structural support element 320 may be structural steel framing,reinforced concrete, or lightweight carbon reinforced concrete.

In the event of flood conditions occurring, an owner may unclip one endof the deck/ramp structure 325 and then lower it into the down positionusing a block and tackle pulley system. Alternatively, the ramp/deckstructure 325 may be raised or lowered utilizing a ratcheted mechanicalclamp system, a hydraulic lift piston or an electric lift piston. Duringnon-flood conditions and daily use, deck/ramp 325 is hoisted into theraised position using a block and tackle pulley system, and locked intoplace using a locked peg connector. The peg is engagable with the ramp325 and the support element 320 to lock and unlock the ramp 325 with thesupport element 320. Alternatively, the deck/ramp 325 may be locked intoposition utilizing a ratcheted locking mechanism, a through boltedconnection or an eyehook with padlock system.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to various embodimentsdescribed herein without departing from the spirit or scope of theteachings herein. Thus, it is intended that various embodiments coverother modifications and variations of various embodiments within thescope of the present teachings.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A liftable building system, comprising: a buildingstructure; a foundation configured for supporting the buildingstructure; a plurality of guideposts that each extend through thebuilding structure and the foundation; and a lifting system that isspaced apart from the guideposts, the lifting system extending between afirst end and a second end, the first end being in communication withthe building structure and the second end being in communication withthe foundation, the lifting system comprising a motor configured toactuate the lifting system such that the lifting system applies a forceto move the building structure axially relative to the foundation alongthe guideposts.
 22. A lifting system as recited in claim 21, wherein theguideposts each include opposite upper and lower end surfaces that arefixed relative to one another.
 23. A lifting system as recited in claim21, wherein the lifting system is slidably coupled to collars that arepositioned about the guideposts.
 24. A lifting system as recited inclaim 21, wherein the lifting system comprises linear actuators that areslidably coupled to collars that are positioned about the guideposts.25. A lifting system as recited in claim 24, wherein the linearactuators axially translate in a direction away from the foundation soas to exert an upward force on the building structure.
 26. A liftingsystem as recited in claim 24, wherein the lifting system compriseshorizontal drive shafts that are coupled to the linear actuators.
 27. Alifting system as recited in claim 26, wherein the motor is configuredto rotate the horizontal drive shafts to translate the linear actuatorsaxially in a direction away from the foundation so as to exert an upwardforce on the building structure.
 28. A lifting system as recited inclaim 21, wherein the lifting system comprises: a plurality of linearactuators; and a plurality of horizontal drive shafts connected to thelinear actuators, wherein as the horizontal drive shafts rotate viaactuation of the motor and the linear actuators axially translate in adirection away from the foundation so as to exert an upward force on thebuilding structure.
 29. A lifting system as recited in claim 28, whereinthe lifting system further comprises a limit switch that limits thetotal axial displacement of the linear actuators thereby limiting thetotal axial displacement of the building structure relative to thefoundation.
 30. A lifting system as recited in claim 21, wherein thelifting system is mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, enginedriven, or combinations thereof.
 31. A lifting system as recited inclaim 21, wherein the guideposts are each disposed adjacent a corner ofthe building structure.
 32. A lifting system as recited in claim 21,further comprising a bracing structure extending between the foundationand the building structure so as to stabilize the building structurewhen the building structure is in a raised position.
 33. A liftingsystem as recited in claim 32, wherein the bracing structure isretractable to a non-stabilizing position when the building structure islowered.
 34. A lifting system as recited in claim 21, wherein theguideposts are embedded in the foundation and project upwardly from thefoundation about 4 feet to about 10 feet above the foundation so as toprovide stability to the building structure as the building structure isbeing raised.
 35. A liftable building system, comprising: a buildingstructure; a foundation configured for supporting the buildingstructure; a plurality of guideposts that each extend through thebuilding structure and the foundation, the guideposts each includingopposite upper and lower end surfaces that are fixed relative to oneanother; and a lifting system extending between a first end and a secondend, the first end being in communication with the building structureand the second end being in communication with the foundation, thelifting system comprising a motor configured to actuate the liftingsystem such that the lifting system applies a force to move the buildingstructure axially relative to the foundation along the guideposts.
 36. Alifting system as recited in claim 35, wherein the end surfaces extendparallel to one another.
 37. A lifting system as recited in claim 35,wherein the lifting system comprises linear actuators that are slidablycoupled to collars that are positioned about the guideposts.
 38. Alifting system as recited in claim 37, wherein the linear actuatorsaxially translate in a direction away from the foundation so as to exertan upward force on the building structure.
 39. A lifting system asrecited in claim 37, wherein the lifting system comprises horizontaldrive shafts that are coupled to the linear actuators and wherein themotor is configured to rotate the horizontal drive shafts to translatethe linear actuators axially in a direction away from the foundation soas to exert an upward force on the building structure.
 40. A liftablebuilding system, comprising: a building structure; a foundationconfigured for supporting the building structure; a plurality ofguideposts that each extend through the building structure and thefoundation; and a lifting system that is mechanical, hydraulic,pneumatic, electrical, engine driven, or combinations thereof, thelifting system being spaced apart from the guideposts, the liftingsystem extending between a first end and a second end, the first endbeing in communication with the building structure and the second endbeing in communication with the foundation, wherein the lifting systemcomprises linear actuators that are slidably coupled to collars that arepositioned about the guideposts, the linear actuators being coupled tohorizontal drive shafts such that a motor of the lifting system rotatesthe horizontal drive shafts to translate the linear actuators axially ina direction away from the foundation so as to exert an upward force onthe building structure such that the building structure moves axiallyrelative to the foundation along the guideposts.